TRACING MIGRATION TRAILSPRESENTED BY MATT HISE

WHY ARE WE HERE?

To explore the migration trails of your ancestors using the National Geographic Giant Traveling Map

HOW DO WE DO IT?

As there are many different migration trails, the trick is to be familiar with which ones your ancestors might have traveled

The most prominent trails for this area; the Full Line Road, and the Natchez Trace, are indicated on the map already

If there are other trails that you are interested in, please refer to the migration trails map

• A laptop is set up as well to zoom in on various counties and parishes

MAP

KEY

NATCHEZ TRACE• The Natchez Trace

started as a footpath before 1742 to connect Nashville, Tennessee with Natchez, Mississippi.

• This sunken section is near Port Gibson, Mississippi.

NATCHEZ TRACEOriginal trace south to north:

• Natchez, Adams, Mississippi

• Port Gibson, Claiborne, Mississippi

• Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi

• Williamsville, Attala, Mississippi

• Tupelo, Lee, Mississippi

• Tishomingo, Tishomingo, Mississippi

• Florence, Lauderdale, Alabama

• Collinwood, Wayne, Tennessee

• Duck River, Hickman, Tennessee

• Leipers Fork, Williamson, Tennessee

• Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee

FALL LINE ROAD• At the southeastern edge of the Piedmont is

the (water)fall line, where rivers drop to the coastal plain.

• Towns grew at the fall line because cargo on boats had to be portaged around the waterfalls which also served as an important early source of water power.

• Mills built to harness this resource encouraged the growth of towns.

• The larger rivers were navigable from the ocean up to the fall line, providing a trade route for those mill towns.

• The Fall Line Road (or Southern Road) was the road built to connect most of those growing mill towns.

• As roads developed in America settlers were attracted to nearby communities because the roads provided access to markets. They could sell their products at distant markets, and buy products made far away. If an ancestor settled near a road, you may be able to trace back to a place of origin on a connecting highway.

FALL LINE ROADTowns on the Fall Line (Northeast to Southwest)

• Trenton, NJ: Delaware R.

• Philadelphia, PA: Schuylkill R.

• Wilmington, DE: Brandywine Creek

• Baltimore, MD: Patapsco R.

• Georgetown, DC: Potomac R.

• Fredericksburg, VA: Rappahannock R.

• Richmond, VA: James R.

• Petersburg, VA: Appomattox R.

• Roanoke Rapids, NC: Roanoke R.

• Smithfield, NC: Neuse R.

• Fayetteville, NC: Cape Fear R.

• Cheraw, SC: Pee Dee R.

• Camden, SC: Wateree R.

• Columbia, SC: Congaree R.

• Augusta, GA: Savannah R.

• Milledgeville, GA: Oconee R.

• Macon, GA: Ocmulgee R.

• Columbus, GA: Chattahoochee R.

• Tallassee, AL: Tallapoosa R.

• Wetumpka, AL: Coosa R.

RULES OF THE MAP

• No shoes

• No writing utensils